US embassy cable - 03TEGUCIGALPA725

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 000725 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
STATE FOR WHA, WHA/CEN, WHA/EPSC, AND WHA/PDA 
STATE FOR EB, IIP/G/WHA, AND DS/OP/WHA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, ECON, EPET, OIIP, ASEC, IZ, HO 
SUBJECT: HONDURAN PRESIDENT MADURO ADDRESSES NATION ON IRAQ: 
CALLS FOR CALM AND DOES NOT MENTION SUPPORT FOR U.S. POLICY 
 
REF: Tegucigalpa 698 
 
1. (U) Summary: Honduran President Ricardo Maduro addressed 
the nation the evening of March 20 on the war in Iraq and 
possible implications for Honduras.  His basic message was 
that the war may cause hardships, but there was no reason to 
panic and that Hondurans should stick together.  He stated 
that oil importers have assured the government that there 
will be no problem with the supply of gasoline.  Maduro also 
announced that he had cancelled his planned trip to Italy 
for the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) meeting due to 
the war.  He did not mention GOH support for U.S. policy on 
Iraq.  End Summary. 
 
2. (U) Begin text of informal Embassy translation of 
President Maduro's speech: 
 
Fellow-citizens, as you all know, the United States, leading 
a coalition of countries, has begun the attack on Iraq, 
which will last until the leader of that country steps 
aside. 
 
These are moments of worldwide uncertainty and even though 
we are far from the war scenario, it is possible that there 
will be some effect on Honduras.  For this reason, I 
cancelled my trip to the meeting with the Governors of the 
Inter-American Development Bank in Milan, because these also 
are moments to be together and united in our country. 
 
I would like to begin by sending a calming message to the 
citizens of Honduras and by discussing the security measures 
that I have taken to guarantee security. 
 
On the issue of energy, I have once again talked with the 
fuel distributors who have guaranteed the supply of all 
petroleum derivatives. 
 
We have initiated at the government level a program of fuel 
savings and I believe it would be a good idea if citizens 
would also voluntarily undertake such measures. 
 
Simple steps such as using public transportation whenever 
possible; avoiding rush hours, making combined trips with 
friends or co-workers - if all citizens would undertake 
these - without doubt the consumption of fuel would go down 
without any noticeable effect on our way of living. 
 
I am also making sure that the important basics such as 
medicine and food continue to be available. 
 
Citizens should keep calm at all times and go to their 
places of work, production and study, so that we can 
maintain the nation's progress. 
 
Even though we are not taking an active part in the 
conflict, I have ordered extraordinary measures to guarantee 
the security of airports, power centers, marine ports, 
hydroelectric dams and thermal plants. 
 
Today more than ever, the nation, everyone in Honduras 
should be united because together we can overcome obstacles 
and only together will everything be all right. 
 
Good night. 
 
End text of informal Embassy translation of President 
Maduro's speech. 
 
3. (SBU) Comment:  Post is disappointed to note that unlike 
his March 18 statement in support of U.S. policy on Iraq 
(reftel), Maduro made no mention in his speech of the fact 
that the GOH is supporting U.S. policy on Iraq.  Whether 
deliberate or unintentional, the result is that Maduro may 
not be seen as forcefully backing U.S. policy, after several 
GOH statements of support in recent days.  While Post notes 
that Iraq has yet to become a major issue in Honduras, 
several opposition Liberal Party congressmen have spoken out 
against the war, and a sizeable demonstration against U.S. 
policy by various organizations is planned for Monday, March 
24 outside the Embassy.  Post will continue to urge the GOH 
to use public statements to support U.S. policy on Iraq. 
End Comment.